SUNDERLAND v MIDDLESBOROUGH
Football : England : FA Cup
Sunday, January 29th, 2012, 1:30PM GMT

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PREVIEW

Here's a North East derby we haven't seen in a while! Middlesborough will travel to Sunderland for this FA Cup 4th round match, to face them for the first time in about 3 years! Should be a good 'un!

Middlesborough have been away from the top flight for a few years now, with no signs of coming back up. Sunderland had been doing very well until they offloaded their best player, Darren Bent, but after many, many months of struggle seem to have gotten things back on track, thanks to the signing of new manager Martin O'Neill.

Sunderland look strong since O'Neill's arrival, with the team beating highflying league leaders Manchester City 1-0 and winning their most recent game against Swansea 2-0, just a few examples. The defence has been excellent, conceding just 7 goals in the 9 games O'Neill has been in charge. Under O'Neill, Sunderland have won 3 of their last 4 and are undefeated at home. Little chance of that changing against a side that has been thrashed recently in their own games.

Middlesborough lost their last 2 games on this ground, although that was a while ago. More recently, their 3-1 and 3-0 losses to Coventry and Blackpool are worrying, because they could well be without their goalkeeper, Jason Steele, for this one. Arca and Thomson got sent off against Coventry and are suspended, further weakening the travelling side.

Sunderland don't really have much to worry about, for while Bendtner will be missing through injury, Campbell comes back into the team to make sure the offence does not suffer.

BETTING VERDICT

Sunderland knocked out Peterborough 2-0 in their last match, where they were travelling. We could see a similar scoreline here and so I will recommend a Sunderland win here, which you should take on the AH for better prices.

The Pick :

Sunderland

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Sunderland -1.5AH @ 2.80 (Pinnacle)